Credit

Caption

Interacting galaxies 3C 321. Artwork of the two galaxies (yellow) in the 3C 321 system and a radio jet (blue) emerging towards upper right from the larger galaxy (bottom left). The jet, composed of high-energy particles, is being generated by a supermassive black hole at the centre of the larger galaxy. This jet is striking the smaller companion galaxy and being disrupted and deflected by this impact. A large dust lane (black) is also seen in the larger galaxy. Earth, in the constellation Serpens Caput. For a series of images of 3C 321, from a study carried out in 2007, including visible, radio, ultraviolet and X-ray observations, see images R826/124 to R826/130.